Over the past year, wait times have increased by 60 percent and can reach 7 hours. An increase in demand combined with longer service times and insufficient capacity have created a situation that is unbearable enough to trigger lawmakers’ intervention.

Today’s food trucks bear no resemblance to the traditional food trucks at state fairs. They are mobile kitchens designed to please the most discriminating foodies. How can they deliver culinary feats in such tight spaces? With efficient layouts and the multi-faceted talents of the people who operate them.

Community fundraising events, such as the Eugene Food Truck Festival in Oregon, serve to expand the reach and popularity of food truck operations, while changing regulations and permit requirements pose a challenge in many locations.

Why are American chains like Pizza Hut, Starbucks and McDonald’s experiencing fast growth and strong success in China?

Three key reasons: Strategic adaptations to the Chinese market and tastes, careful location planning, and adaptation to local cultural preferences in product and service design.

The Chinese have a great desire for goods and services they can trust. Although some Chinese competitors have entered the market with copycat fast food offerings, many Chinese still want the authenticity, consistency, and high quality of well-known Western brands.

1. How do the operations strategies of Pizza Hut differ in China versus in the United States?

Guidance: Whereas Pizza Hut is a relatively less expensive, casual, fast food eatery in the United States, in China it’s an upscale, date-night spot that often requires reservations. Thus, a focus on high quality and service is important in China, whereas in the U.S. the strategy is more focused on short processing time and low cost. This is true, interestingly, even though the standard of living and Continue reading →